The Iowa Hawkeyes (24-12) are heading to the Elite 8 after a 9-0 run with under 5:00 left to get their first lead of the game and keep it against the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers, winning 77-71. It’s the first time they’ve made the Elite 8 since the 1987 team in Tom Davis’ first season. They’re also the lowest ranked Big Ten team to advance this far.
Alvaro Folgueiras had the dramatic game winner against Florida but he saved his best stretch of the game for the final 5 minutes. His 3 tied it up at 65-65,
scrapped on the boards, and then took advantage of only 4 Huskers on the court to throw down a breakaway dunk after Nebraska cut Iowa’s lead to 3. He finished with 16 points on 6/7 shooting.
The game did not have the same feeling as Iowa’s prior upset over Florida, with the Huskers hyper-focused on getting the early lead. For the first 5-plus minutes, Iowa didn’t get a rebound offensive or defensive as Nebraska amassed a 10-point lead.
The Hawks never lost contact, with Stirtz scoring 5 straight points and Folgueiras hitting his first the of the game to close the gap to 16-14. It was a back-and-fort half as Nebraska continued to accordion their lead to 10 points multiple times but Iowa continued to hit enough shots to keep it on the rails.
Most notably, Tate Sage had the best game of his young career with 3 first half 3s. This really undersells his impact as Iowa was +7 with him on the floor throughout the frame. His final 3 was reminiscent of Bennett Stirtz breaking down the Gators’ press, as the senior guard draw Sage’s defender and he calmly sank the 3 to cut the Nebraska lead to 46-43 going into half. Iowa was able to set the play up after forcing a shot clock violation on the Huskers’ final possession of the frame.
Despite yielding 58% shooting from the field and 7/14 shooting from deep, the game was in range thanks to the Hawks shooting 60% from the field and 7/11 from 3.
Coming out of half, there was very much the same feel of the game as neither team could really put together a run despite both teams cooling off dramatically. Much like the first half, the Hawks were conscious to get Stirtz going as he scored a couple early baskets.
Nebraska countered with freeing up Pryce Sandfort for a couple jumpers in quick succession on his way to 25 points. The real success was limiting Sandfort to just 9 shot attempts before the final minute or so. He finished 8/13 and 6/10 from deep. But after each Sandfort score, Iowa was able to get the scoring back. Kael Combs, Sage, and Folgueiras each got on the board after Sandfort basket.
After Folgueiras’ 3 to tie it up after Sandfort’s basket with 6:16, the game tightened up as nobody would buy a basket. But with 2:10 remaining Bennett Stirtz gave the Hawks their first lead of the game, 68-65, on his final points of the game, notching his 20th on a step-back jumper.
The Hawks played excellent defense to force a Rienk Mast 3, with Folgueiras coming down with the board. He later assisted Sage’s 3 which extended Iowa’s lead to 71-65.
When the Hawks couldn’t secure the rebound and allowed a Braden Frager 3 to cut the lead in half, it felt like we were barreling towards a gut-wrenching finish, win or lose. Instead, Nebraska came out of Fred Hoiberg’s timeout with only 4 guys on the floor, which seemingly only Folgueiras knew and then:
Great recognition by Combs and an excellent pass to set it up. Folgueiras added another dunk on a pass from Sage and that was that.
The clock hasn’t struck midnight yet.
In some ways, it’s a shame to see an excellent game end with such a “what the hell?‘ moment on the biggest possession of the game. But if you’ve watched any Iowa/Nebraska game over the last decade or so…this ending is not out of character.
But this wasn’t a total robbery. Despite the cold shooting half, they still finished at 51.9% from the field and 43.3%. They turned it over just 5 times, which was crucial in keeping contact throughout the game. The Hawks allowed 12 offensive rebounds but yielded just 11 second chance points, which includes the 8 they gave up right off the jump.
LFG!!!!!
